In the fall of 1925 the student body chose the colors of blue and orange for the school colors. 12 choices had been presented as possibilities. Students campaigned with skits, posters, and speeches to promote various favorites. Purple and white, the colors of yet-to-be-established Southwest, Washburn's greatest rival, came in as a second choice in colors; mulberry and silver came in third. (Note that blue and orange were also the colors of Gold Medal flour.)